dictate

[ verb dik-teyt, dik-teyt; noun dik-teyt ]

verb (used with object)

, dic·tat·ed, dic·tat·ing.

1. to say or read (something) aloud for another person to transcribe or for a machine to record:

   to dictate some letters to a secretary.

2. to prescribe or lay down authoritatively or peremptorily; command unconditionally:

   to dictate peace terms to a conquered enemy.

verb (used without object)

, dic·tat·ed, dic·tat·ing.

1. to say or read aloud something to be written down by a person or recorded by a machine.
2. to give orders.

noun

1. an authoritative order or command.
2. a guiding or governing principle, requirement, etc.:

   to follow the dictates of one's conscience.

   Synonyms: bidding

dictate

verb

1. to say (messages, letters, speeches, etc) aloud for mechanical recording or verbatim transcription by another person
2. tr to prescribe (commands) authoritatively
3. intr to act in a tyrannical manner; seek to impose one's will on others

noun

1. an authoritative command
2. a guiding principle or rule

   the dictates of reason

Other Words From

• dictat·ing·ly adverb
• mis·dictat·ed adjective
• pre·dictate verb (used with object) predictated predictating
• re·dictate verb redictated redictating
• un·dictat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dictate¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin dictātus “said repeatedly,” past participle of dictāre “to say repeatedly, order, prescribe,” from dīcere “to say, speak, tell”

Word History and Origins

Origin of dictate¹

C17: from Latin dictāre to say repeatedly, order, from dīcere to say

Example Sentences

Convention dictates that when the prime minister is away, the Conservatives also field a deputising figure.

From BBC

He said BaronHR was often an employer “in name only” because “clients dictated the employment terms and conditions” and that since 2018 he had had “restricted involvement.”

From New York Times

For those wanting to innovate, one of the problems Africa faces is the lack of data from the continent to dictate algorithms.

From BBC

He said the new recommendations are a much-needed update to the current standard of care in which individual radiologists measure tumor size, which dictates treatment options.

From Science Daily

California law dictates how long how data are stored and how they are shared by law enforcement agencies.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• govern
• guide
• impose
• lay down
• prescribe